Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock has called on some of his squad to take the opportunities to play that might present themselves at the moment amid the injury issues the club is currently facing.

Boro have had a bit of an inconsistent season so far this year in the Sky Bet Championship, with a recent win over Sheffield United being followed by a loss against Hull City a pretty stark example of their issues.

They're plugging away, though, and under Warnock, you can guarantee they'll fight and scrap away until something, they'll hope, eventually clicks.

Indeed, speaking to talkSPORT, Warnock has urged some of his players to step up and taking the playing opportunities that there are at the club right now, and has also said he hopes that fortune is going to turn his side's way in the near future:

"We could do with a good run at the moment.

“We’ve got a nightmare injury list at the minute, but hey listen, that creates opportunities for people.

“We’ve got to be really positive and just have a go.

“We’ve got some good lads at this football club and I think with just a little bit of luck everything changes.

“You saw the goal down at Hull last weekend. Hits the post, hits the goalkeeper on the back of the head and goes in.

“We need a bit of luck like that. But we’ll keep going.”

The Verdict

Warnock knows what a good run in the Championship can do for confidence around the place and for your league position but talking about it is one thing, Boro need to get on and do it.

They do have a few issues with injuries right now, that must be said, but as Warnock says it is an opportunity for other players to stake their claim - let's see if any of them do.